Debbi Wilkes on judging, 6s, and "perfection"

[Artemis]

From last week: Feb 17 article (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/debbi_wilkes.asp?id=28995)

and continued this week: Feb 24 article (http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/debbi_wilkes.asp?id=30106)

I found the "history" of the 6.0 in the first article to be particularly interesting.

[Luenatic]

I have a question on the B&K's picture at the first article (http://www.tsn.ca/images/stories/20030214/bourne_kraatz_35218.jpg). Should ISU classify that dance move "undignified"?

[Suzanne]

I found it interesting that they allowed a women's event at the world level when a women got the silver medal in a men's event!

[duane]

so, the mark of 6.0 was once considered the mark of "perfection".

i've said it before and i'll say it again: 6.0's are given out too easily nowadays. actually, 5.8's and 5.9's are as well. the winners of most competitions should win with marks in the 5.5 - 5.7 range, rather than the 5.8 - 6.0 range. the "perfect" 6.0 mark needs to once again become unique--something rarely given out--because most performances are not perfect.

[jcspkbfan]

Thanks, Artemis! I always wondered why skating was judged on a 6.0 scale instead of, say, 10 like diving or gymnastics.

As for the accompanying B&K photo (this same photo was shown on the Jay Leno show last week, but fortunately Jay didn't name the skaters!), Victor's actually touching Shae's arm, not...um...another part of her body--although you have to look really closely to notice the difference! ;)

[rjblue]

Originally posted by jcspkbfan
As for the accompanying B&K photo (this same photo was shown on the Jay Leno show last week, but fortunately Jay didn't name the skaters!), Victor's actually touching Shae's arm, not...um...another part of her body--although you have to look really closely to notice the difference! ;) Thank You! I've been trying to figure this lift out. I thought maybe the photo had been retouched, but now it makes sense. (I don't like the lift much though)

Well Debbie is firmly in the corner of the new COP system. If they will just display the marks I'll be a bit less bothered by it, and if they would use the points to score in an OBO fashion I'd be quite content.